Forum Activity for @christine-shoemaker

Tom Yocky Jr.

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

 - Hi Lisa - and thank you!

It was so nice to finally meet you Jeff!  (Glad I had my FotMD button on!)  I enjoyed talking dulcimers with you and meeting your Dad.  It was a fun festival and tagging up with fellow FotMD members made it even better!  

I'm glad the 12's coupled with the fret adjustment improved the twang. Good job Marg! As far as the 11's, I find them a bit too thin sounding for my style of playing. There's not a huge difference but it's enough to keep me happy - ha!

marg said:

I changed to 12's today, that and filing the 3rd fret down just a hair I think made a difference on my twang or vibration. I got to play another dulciborn yesterday and it made the same twang as minewhen strummed up the fret board. For these two dulciborns either I need to remember to strum more toward the strum hollow or not so hard.

Thank you both Christine and Frank. I wouldn't think there was hardy any difference between an 11 & a 12 string. Is it just a bit heavier or mellow? What makes you both put 12's on the dulciborn? Just like 12's better?

Christine Shoemaker said:

I use the .12's too Marg. Also, .18 plain for the middle and .28 wound for the bass. I just changed the bass today to a .29 Acoustic Silk Bronze by GHS strings. (That one doesn't come in a 28.) So far, I think I like it. It seems to have a warmer tone.

marg said:

I will try the .12's and do hope Wayne can straighten out the problems. To have so many issues with the latest shipment shows they have not made any headway.

thanks as always for your suggestions, help and ideas

The heavier gauge will make it a little harder to play until you get used to it, Marg. For me, it's worth the extra effort as I like the tone much better. It might be worth a try and if you don't like the stiffer action you can always change it back , right?

I use the .12's too Marg. Also, .18 plain for the middle and .28 wound for the bass. I just changed the bass today to a .29 Acoustic Silk Bronze by GHS strings. (That one doesn't come in a 28.) So far, I think I like it. It seems to have a warmer tone.

marg said:

I will try the .12's and do hope Wayne can straighten out the problems. To have so many issues with the latest shipment shows they have not made any headway.

thanks as always for your suggestions, help and ideas

I agree with you Marg, there are great members here and you've all made me feel very welcome. Thanks everyone! I hope I can keep up with you and continue to generate a few WOW's every now and then!

So nice Christine Shoemaker has come to FOYMD and posted some of her videos, there's great members here and all interested in - all things dulcimer. In just a few days she has gotten more views than posting elsewhere and many comments alone with, quite a few WOW'S

Joy W. said:

Marg, you're right about the collection of dulciborn videos available on the YouTube link that you posted. The musician, Christine Shoemaker, is also a member of FOTMD, but I don't think she has been active on this website in a while. She and I have worked on some dulciborn duets together and, last summer, recorded some of our efforts at a practice session. Here are two of my favorites:

Southwind - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaRKcaKZpkA

John Stinson's #2 -

On her YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS9PAgUI8AfFoxZFZ_XsTcQ Christine also posted some really beautiful pieces that she plays on a McSpadden 6-string baritone.

I am very flattered that you would want tab for my originals! I'm sorry, but no, I do not have any. Honestly, after I finish writing and then recording them for memory purposes, I usually go on to the next one rather quickly and do not take the time to tab them out. I'm happy that you enjoyed "Uh-oh!". I had a lot of fun with that one. If I ever do tab it, I'll be sure to send it your way Sharon!